Cleveland Cavaliers notes: Kyrie Irving, Tony Parker similar in approach to the game

The All-Star point guards are similar in many ways.
Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio’s Tony Parker both rely on darting quickness, uncanny speed and great ballhandling skills on the court. They are both the opposing team’s focus on the defensive end.
“There are some similarities,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “(Parker is) a relentless guy when it comes to utilizing his speed against teams. It’s a huge weapon for him, and Kyrie’s starting to figure that out some in pick-and-roll situations and in transition.
“Then, defensively, he’s starting to understand a little bit more every game that it’s a challenge to have to make somebody feel you and be a presence for as close to 48 minutes as possible. And if you don’t do that, or try that, every night, you’re going to lessen your chance of winning.”
Both players are their respective teams’ leading scorers and playmakers. Parker is averaging 17.8 points and 6.3 assists per game.
Irving is 13th in the NBA in scoring at 21.5 points per game and 12th with 6.3 assists.
“Tony Parker is a one-man fastbreak,” Brown said. “Tony Parker has been playing at that pace since I was there in 2000-03. We don’t want to get in a rat race with them.”
Brown isn’t sure anyone is going to stop Parker.
“He’s a guy who can go right by you,” he said. “They do a great job of spreading the basketball court. If he gets right by you, and gets into the teeth of our defense, then we’re going to have some problems.
“I don’t know if you can stop him. You just have to make him work for his points. You have to blitz him in pick-and-roll situations. You have to hope he misses some times. If he’s on, he’s very hard to stop.”Parker returns
Parker had missed the previous six games with general soreness before facing Dallas on March 2. He had 22 points and seven assists in his first game since Feb. 10.
New look
Guard Dion Waiters will be playing with center Spencer Hawes for the first time on March 4.
Hawes’ 3-point shooting has improved the spacing of the Cavs’ offense, which should open up driving lanes for players like Waiters.
“Spencer’s done a great job since he’s been here,” Waiters said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing with him.
“I can’t wait to get out there. I’m excited just to lace ‘em (up) and making the playoff push we’ve got a chance to make.”
Waiters had missed the previous seven games with a hyperextended left knee. No new tricks
The Spurs have been using the same system for decades under Coach Gregg Popovich. They have just changed some of the parts.
“They are just older and wiser,” Brown said. “A lot of the stuff he’s doing now is similar to when I was there. They are unselfish. Their basketball IQ is so high. It rubs off on anyone who steps on the floor. If you don’t, you feel like an outsider.”Onuaku re-signed
The Cavs signed forward/center Arinze Onuaku to a second 10-day contract on Tuesday. The 6-9, 275-pounder appeared in one game with the Cavs and didn’t score.
Onuaku has appeared in 27 games for the D-League Canton Charge this season and averaged 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1 block.Pop being Pop
How would you like to be in this huddle?
Popovich wants his players to take ownership of the team.
“Sometimes in timeouts I’ll say, ‘I’ve got nothing for you. What do you want me to do? We just turned it over six times, everybody’s holding the ball. We got no drills to do here. Figure it out,’” Popovich said. “Then I’ll get up and I’ll walk away from them.
“There’s nothing else I can do for them. I can give some bull and act like I’m a coach or something. It’s a players’ game and they’ve got to perform. (The players) basically have to take charge, or you never get to the top of the mountain.”

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@morningjournal.com
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